GROCERY SHOPPING UP NORTH

Moving right along, here's a post of one of our trips to Johor Bahru (its a back dated post).

About once a month (if we can), we try to stock up on some cheap groceries in JB. And although the jams at the Causeways (on both sides of the countries) can be vomit-inducing (Ryan can vouch for that!) & sore on me (big) butt ... we "endure" it as best we can. Shopping in Malaysia does saves a lot of money & sometimes the variety is different too. Not forgetting the halal stuff they sell there, far exceeds what we have here in Singapore. Fine dining (if you can call eating in cafes, that) is definitely so much cheaper, especially if they have similar branches back home - like Secret Recipe, Oldtown (which coincidentally, isn't halal in Singapore), etc.

We always end up spending a lot of the time in the bigger supermarkets. Whilst there, Ryan always can't miss out on the kiddie rides, outside.

Looking very confident indeed. See how he "siam" the many supermarket trolleys around him. He's actually pretty good at not knocking people down nor being hit by the other kiddy riders.

Can you see the serious-looking Ryan, peering at the corner of his eyes? He's actually looking out for some errant drivers (kids) around him. Haha ... he hates being hit by them.

We dropped by a kid's playground. Its pretty huge! You would never see an indoor playground, this huge in a Singapore mall.

Finally, its time to eat. We had our makan at a small restaurant called Vivo (I think they're from the U.S - they serve mainly Western food & have other branches across Malaysia). The food is pretty tasty & very reasonably priced. A lot of the restaurants in Malaysia are Halal certified (reflected at the entrance of the shop or on their menus). If in doubt, don't be afraid to ask!

Ryan scribbling on the promotion pamphlet.

Waiting for the food to arrive (which was so bl**dy slow) ... reason being? They forgot one of our orders, arrgh! (I forgot to take photos of the food - no mood by then).

Ryan showing his Daddy the food he wants to eat, next time.

Yes, its (yet) another kiddy ride ... at another mall! The things we do to make our children, happy!

Hubby, the ever-present bodyguard ... not that Ryan needs any protecting, hehe!

Looking to check if Daddy is still behind him.

IN SO MANY WORDS

Lately, Ryan has been muttering lots of new words & phrases. Well, God knows where he picked up some of these words but some ... are definitely recognisable to me. Why you might ask are they familiar to muah? Errm ... because Ryan ... seem to enjoy "parrot-ing" after his "visibly-stressed-high pitched" Mummy. Yep, he seemed to have picked up some pretty "neat" lingo & figure of speech, courtesy of his Mama. And let me tell you, not everything that comes out of my mouth can be repeated in public or blogland.

Yes, I can have a real potty mouth at times (ok ok, most times) but I refrain from being too "colourful" in public. I'm afraid that Ryan will grow up to be equally as "colourful" as me when it comes to swearing, cursing, etc. I am however, keen for him to be like me (in some ways) - not afraid to voice out my opinions or feelings, being good with words, etc. but I am also afraid that he will turn out like me - usually a lot to say, but not willing to speak out, sometimes.

As a kid, I was rather timid (especially in primary school). That, coupled with being anti-social & a loner, I did not have many close friends then. Ryan displays some of that now ... he can be playful & sociable with people he knows - his extended family, his cousins, friends of the family, but with others, he's seems shy & afraid, distant even ... always hiding behind me (or Hubby) or covering his already small face. He would not even look at strangers (or neighbours) much less talk to them or even bid a cursory hello. Sigh! how can I blame him for being him ... when I was much the same when I was a kid.

Ok ... I'm digressing again. Well, all I wanted to say was ... Ryan's vocab is expanding exponentially & fast. It scares me ... and yet at the same time, it fascinates me. I sometimes wonder what new word will come out of his mouth. Its like a never-ending guessing game for me ... a game that's not about to end anytime soon.

P.S : Will try to update Ryan's Vocab List when I next get the chance.

Can you see his huge Transformers watch? (which he insists on wearing constantly)